BUSINESSMAN BLAMES METHADONE CLINIC FOR PROBLEMS

Owner Of Pete's Open Kitchen Says He's Ready To Pack Up And
Leave

OSHAWA -- Peter Captsis is tired.

Tired of finding pills and syringes on the bathroom floor, tired of
breaking up fights, tired of listening to foul language float over the
tables in his restaurant.

For the past two years, he has been trying to make Pete's Open Kitchen
a downtown Oshawa success story but says the methadone clinic next
door is making that all but impossible.

"I knew the clinic was there when I took over this place," he says.
"But I didn't realize how much trouble there would be. People don't
want to come in here."

And frankly, he doesn't blame them.

Since he began finding drug remnants in the bathrooms, he has become
much stricter about who can use the facilities, sometimes stopping
good customers from going in.

His diners have also witnessed police arresting people outside the
restaurant's doors, fights and other disturbances that he says come
courtesy of the clinic's clients.

"I'm not a waiting room or a lounge for the clinic and no matter how
much I ask people who cause problems not to come in here, they still
do," Mr. Captsis says. "I've invested a lot in this city, I employ
local people... but if someone doesn't help me I'm locking up and leaving."

The First Step Methadone Clinic on Simcoe Street South has long been a
thorn in the side of councillors and downtown business owners.

And as the downtown renaissance gains steam, the issue is drawing
attention again.

In September, clinic owner Fred Lorusso turned down the City's offer
of a $100,000 "incentive grant" to help him relocate his business
outside Oshawa. He said he would need between $400,000 and $500,000 to
make the move and is only interested in relocating within the city.

Councillor Louise Parkes is now suggesting that a delegation of
councillors and City staff meet with the Province to explore giving
municipalities some regulatory power over methadone clinics, including
where they can locate.

Politicians will debate the issue at their next meeting Jan. 28, where
several downtown business owners are also expected to voice their concerns.

Ron Wilson has plenty to say about how First Step has affected
business at Dough Wilson Men's Wear, located just up the street from
the clinic.

His family has been selling men's clothing at the location for 44
years and he says things were steady for 41 of them.

"I've noticed changes the last few years and specifically in the last
six months we've seen the traffic at the clinic increase," he says.
"I'm getting a lot of feedback from my customers that women don't feel
safe coming here -- and a lot of my clientele is based on wives."

Mr. Wilson stresses that he is not against the clinic and thinks it
provides a vital service. But he doesn't think it should be coexisting
with 150 businesses. Shelby Allen has similar concerns.

He opened Earth Tones on Simcoe Street South last year and also lives
above his store, which sells naturally inspired bath and beauty
products, handmade jewelry and exotic drums.

"If you didn't notice it was there it would be fine but it sticks out
like a sore thumb," he says. "The clinic and the City have to do
what's best for the downtown and for the patients. They have a right
to privacy, which I don't think they have there."

At the Downtown Oshawa Board of Management, Vivian Sled says potential
new tenants often ask about the clinic when they're considering
downtown Oshawa.

While she is hesitant to directly link First Step to business closures
or building vacancies, she says the fact that the two storefronts
across from it sit vacant -- despite the landlord's willingness to do
facade improvements -- should speak for itself.

In his defence, Mr. Lorusso believes the clinic is treated as a
scapegoat for any problem in the downtown, saying people often assume
anyone causing a disturbance is one of his clients when that is rarely
the case.

He wants the clinic to stay in its current location because it is easy
for clients to access, and says he is willing to work with the City to
find solutions.